If you are looking for an underrated gem, this unassuming museum is an absolute must-visit. Our…read moregroup spent about 1.5 hours exploring, and it was worth every minute. Tip: Start on the 2nd floor as the museum is split across two floors. The 2nd floor is Toys and a complete walk down memory lane. It's packed with nostalgia, featuring games and classic items from the last century--everything from vintage Mouse Trap to Chinese Checkers. The 1st floor is Fine Miniatures. Do yourself a favor and save this for last. The first floor houses fine scale miniatures that are plain mind-blowing. The level of craftsmanship and architectural detail in these tiny masterpieces is unbelievable. Before you leave, make sure to pop into the nifty little gift shop. They have some super fun items, including mini tabletop versions of games like Mini Monopoly. Highly recommended!

A group of us spent part of our weekend exploring this incredible museum in the heart of Kansas…read moreCity, and it was pure magic from start to finish. ​The fine-scale miniatures are an absolute marvel of patience, precision, and artistry. Having recently visited the Truman Library, seeing a miniature replica of Truman's Oval Office shrunk down with microscopic accuracy--right down to the tiniest nitty-gritty details on the desk--was amazing to see up close. There are far too many highlights to squeeze into one miniature review, but the massive 1,000-pound dollhouse from the late 1800s completely stopped us in our tracks. ​On the toy side of the aisle, wandering through generations of playthings was a blast--even if realizing I'm officially old enough to be part of vintage museum nostalgia was a funny, slightly bittersweet pill to swallow. They also have three hypnotic rolling-ball kinetic sculptures where you just zone out watching the spheres navigate intricate winding tracks. It's oddly calming, very zen, and almost impossible to pull your eyes away from. ​To top off the visit, I nearly committed accidental petty crime on the way out. I picked up an adorable tiny Monopoly game in the gift shop, got distracted, and walked right out the front door before realizing I hadn't paid. When I hurried back inside to confess, the cashier laughed and pointed out the irony of accidentally playing a real-life Get Out of Jail Free card with Monopoly. ​Definitely check this place out, whether you appreciate mind-boggling micro-craftsmanship or just want to let your inner kid run loose for an afternoon.

*Missing Review(s)?…read more In my opinion this is one of the best museums in the world. No doubt,pound for pound I would put the Nelson Akins up against any museum anywhere. I love art so, traveling to Kansas City regularly in the early to mid 2000s,I naturally visited the Nelson Adkins. Walking into the building was not particularly interesting as the entrance had been modernized and different from the exterior. However,once you walk into the galleries,you are stunned. The overall building design,galleries and quality of art seems almost out of place in Kansas City. Not that they don't deserve it,every city should be so lucky,it just seems a surprise. One special thing they had, that is just wonderful, is the cafeteria style cafe in a significantly beautiful atrium. I took many pictures and posted them of the entire facility including the marvelous food over several years. I have been trying to come up with a good excuse to go to KC for a Nelson-Adkins fix! Seriously,maybe an UYE! Now for "The"truly significant impact this museum had on my life.On the second floor you could walk out doors, taking you into the large atrium that holds the cafe. Around this walkway were many Rodin sculpture. I must have past these sculpture a dozen times on my walk to the descending stairs in order to eat During one visit as I exited the doors,passed the sculptures,I noticed a large photographic presentation. Stopping to look closer,I learned it was regarding details of Rodin's Hell Gates. If you have the slightest interest in art,look it up, amazing. After lunch,I returned to this exhibit reading all about the Hells Gates. Finding out there are only two bronze cast of this magnificent sculpture,I felt I just had to see one if not both. One is at the Rodin museum in Paris. If I needed a reason to go to Paris( you don't) this was as good as any. I'm proud to report a few months later I was standing in front of the Gates Of Hell at the Rodin museum Paris. All because of a visual display at Nelson Atkins... Go!

My visit to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art was extremely disappointing. While the museum itself…read morewas beautiful the behavior of several staff members completely ruined the experience. Throughout our visit we were repeatedly followed and monitored. At one point, as we were leaving through a doorway a staff member who was entering saw us exiting and immediately turned around after looking directly at us. Another staff member approached us in a very confrontational manner under the guise of "guiding" us and even laughed after I responded with "yikes." The micro-aggressions were impossible to ignore. They didn't even seem "micro." The behavior from staff was excessive, unwelcoming, and deeply uncomfortable. It's unfortunate that such a culturally significant and visually appealing place is staffed by people who ruin the experience. I genuinely hope the museum addresses and provides better training on how staff members interact with guests.

We attended an event on the first floor of this striking, elegant white stone mansion in St…read more Joseph. The mansion was built in the late 1800's. The downstairs is apparently used these days for special events. There is a gorgeous painted ceiling on the first floor; most or all of the woodwork appears to be original. The upstairs includes a Victorian bedroom, and also showcases a few pieces of fine clothing and a delicate pair of women's shoes that are over 100 years old, I think. There were also some other assorted items on display. Some, but not all, of the items upstairs relate to outlaw Jesse James, who lived elsewhere in St. Joseph. Note: You may wish to bring a jacket or sweater if visiting in the winter.

Great place to visit I was surprised they didn't have the Indians they use to have Car show was…read moregreat

This is a must see for any Disnerd! Occupying the town's old railroad station, the staff is…read morefriendly and enthusiastic. The displays are fascinating and amazing, almost as magical as the park themselves. Just outside there is a locomotive and caboose, and remnants from when the Mini Autopia had been placed there right next to the station. If you get a postcard and send it from the town's post office, you can request the stamp be canceled with a special Disney stamp instead! We drove 2 hours in each direction to visit and we were pleased.

If you're a Disney fan, the Walt Disney Hometown Museum is an absolute must-visit. It was such a…read moremagical and inspiring experience to see where Walt's imagination first took root. The museum is filled with fascinating artifacts and personal pieces of Disney history that made me appreciate his story even more. My favorite part was the incredible model of Disneyland--it was amazing to admire all the tiny details and see the park brought to life in miniature. I left feeling inspired, nostalgic, and even more grateful for the legacy Walt Disney created. This is a hidden gem that every Disney fan should experience at least once.

I had been here once when I was in elementary school I believe. There is a parking lot around the…read morecorner but it is very pricey, your best bet is try and find a spot on the street. There is a lot to take in (4 floors worth). There is a large section of fossils that accordingly to the displays were found in KS, which is mind blowing that there were dinosaurs this close near us. I really liked the large collection of taxidermy birds that allows you to see a bunch of the local verity in person. This museum covers everything from fossils, life reptiles, germs and more. It is well worth the suggested $7 donation at the door.

Have visited Lawrence, KS a number of times over the last 18 years and had never gone to this…read moremuseum. Made a point of doing so today, while in town again. It is a very nice museum, with an incredible amount of items on display and presented well. Would recommend it to anyone interested in natural history and such. It is free ... and they do recommend a $7 donation. Donate the $7, it is well worth it.

This is an absolute gem in St. Joseph!!…read more What made our visit even more special was learning just how much Gary Chilcote -- the man who created this incredible collection and continues to invest in it -- cherishes this community and its history. We spent four hours there and still didn't see everything! Did you know Abraham Lincoln came to St. Joseph -- not just once, but twice?! From the fascinating interviews with famous figures like Walter Cronkite, to the incredible collections, to an entire floor preserved to showcase the original hotel rooms in all their historic glory, there is truly something here for everyone. And what struck me most was realizing how much of this incredible museum represents the love and generosity of generations of St. Joseph families who understood the importance of preserving their community's history. Everywhere you turn, there is another story, another treasure, another piece of history that draws you in and makes you stop and wonder. Halfway through our visit, I found myself wondering about Gary and what he was doing today. So, naturally, I Googled him -- and was amazed to discover just how much this museum truly is a family affair... really, a family love affair. As someone who has always loved history, I have an enormous appreciation for the commitment Gary and his family have made -- and continue to make -- to preserving this remarkable piece of St. Joseph. And then came the most unexpected and wonderful moment of our entire visit. We literally closed the place down and still hadn't seen everything! As we were leaving, we commented to the woman at the front desk about how magnificent the collection was. As we turned to walk out, there was a gentleman sitting near the door who smiled at me. I smiled back, walked outside... and then suddenly realized: OMG -- THAT WAS GARY CHILCOTE!! I immediately turned around, walked back inside and approached him. "Are you Gary?" He responded with the kindest smile and a nod. I asked if I could shake his hand, and in that moment I was honestly overcome with chills, pride and admiration. I could hardly find the words to tell him how much I appreciated and admired the work and dedication that he and his family have poured -- and continue to pour -- into this extraordinary place. As we talked, I asked him questions about some of the history we had seen and learned, and he graciously shared even more stories with us. WOW. Just WOW. Mr. Chilcote, the honor was truly ours to meet you. Your willingness to share your knowledge, your passion for history, and your love for St. Joseph made this visit so much more than an awesome day. It was magical. Thank you for preserving these stories, these treasures and this history for generations to come. Keep up the incredible work!! And thank you for reminding us why preserving our history matters so much.

First - the employee DID ask if we wanted to ride. we said "yes". instead of walking behind the…read morecounter at the carousel, he followed us a short while, then left. IF I volunteered, there still wouldn't be anyone because we ALL GO TO LUNCH AT 1030! As far as the length of our visit, it doesn't take that long to recognize your terrible attitude!

This is museum is an incredible gem! I would have never expected a museum of this caliber in this…read moresmall town. The exhibits are thoughtfully designed. This 1888 Santa Fe train depot interprets railroad history and local history through thematic rooms, some of which are interactive. The upstairs has an old general store, a one-room school (which kids can play in), an old soda fountain, an industry room, a Victorian parlor, and an old farm house kitchen. The downstairs has rotating exhibit space and an experiential exhibit about Bleeding Kansas, as Franklin County was the site of a massacre led by John Brown, which fueled the Civil War. My young son especially enjoyed the large model train layout! Great staff provides an overview of the museum upon entry. There is a modest entry fee. The site is accessible.

If you're passing through Kansas City, you *must* make a commitment to visit the World War 1…read moreMuseum. We always felt the Abraham Lincoln Museum in Springfield IL was one of the best museums, however, the WW1 Museum is so good, we're challenged in deciding which one is the best. At a leisurely pace it will take you about 3 hours to view the museum with standard admission. Artifact displays and visual representations are extremely well done. Must be seen to appreciate. It's the #1 rated attraction in Kansas City. Very highly recommended!

The National WWI Museum and Memorial was an impressive stop, with so much history, artifacts, and…read morepersonal stories from the Great War. It was fascinating, but honestly, a little overwhelming (for me). There was so much to take in and so much to think about. The poppies throughout the exhibits were a beautiful reminder of the lives lost and the sacrifices made.

Really enjoyed this museum and it's free. Take advantage of a nice experience to see some…read moreinteresting things. The staff is friendly and they validate your parking.

small but mighty. for a small college museum i was very impressed with the collection.read more